SLIK PRO CF-634 SVH Kit with SVH-501 Video Head REVIEW
I’ve never been a huge fan of tripods, but the SLIK CF-634 has changed my mind. In this review, I’m going to go over what I think of the tripod and video head kit after using it a few times in the field. I’ll eventually do a long-term review, but for now, I wanted to get my initial thoughts and feedback out there for you.
Slik PRO CF-634 SVH tripod Kit with SVH-501 Video Head
Why I Have The Slik Tripod and Video Head
I reached out to SLIK for a podcast interview and they kindly offered to give me their time. After a brief exchange, they suggested that I might want to try a tripod/video head combination they were offering and that it would be good for me to give it a try leading up to the interview so I could have a hands-on feel of the products. It sounded like a great idea so I accepted and here we are. By no means is this article sponsored, nor am I required to say anything specific about the product. They simply wanted to get it in my hands for me to offer my honest feedback.
I’ve never been one for enjoying a tripod in the field. Whether for photography, video, or in my case glassing for animals, I just find them annoying to deal with and I’d rather just not… until now.
Product Description
** the following is the manufacturers product description **
The New PRO CF-634SVH tripod combines our best selling carbon fiber CF-634 legs with the travel-ready and versatile SVH-501 video head. This is the perfect combination for those that travel and need a solid yet lightweight set-up. The complete tripod weighs in at just 3.25 lbs making it great for people hiking into the back country to shoot video or observe wildlife through a spotting scope.
The SVH-501 is a no-frills, compact sized, video head, weighing in at 1lb. and capable of supporting 6.6lbs of gear in any position while providing smooth pan and tilt movements. To keep the size, weight and cost down we did not include drag control knobs but the head provides the right amount of resistance when moving the head so your video movements are smooth and your animal tracking is easy. The angled pan handle can be positioned for left or right hand control and rotated a full 360-degrees so the handle’s angle is in the best position for your situation.
The head includes a 70mm Arca-type quick release plate that can slide in from the front, back or mounted from the top. The locking knob is large and easy to access with the camera mounted. It also includes a release stopper to prevent the plate from sliding off the head in the event you forget to tighten down the plate. The stopper can also be rotated out of the way to make mounting and removal a bit faster. The quick release plate sports a tool-less wing-nut design that lets you attach the plate to your camera without a coin or tool. Of course, we include a coin slot for those that prefer it.
The CF-634 legs are made from high-quality carbon fiber material for a strong, solid performance. It will can reach a maximum height of 66.7 inches with the column extended and 56 inches with the column down. It folds down to 22.5 inches and includes a carrying case for easy transport. The center column includes a hook to hang your camera bag for additional stability or just to keep your gear off of the ground.
Features of the Slik CF-634 with SVH-501 Video Head
Kit Includes CF-634 Legs and SVH-501 Video Head
Max Height - 66.7 in
Minimum Operating Height - 11 in
Folded Height - 22.5 in
Maximum Center Column Extension - 11.4 in
Max Load - 6.6 lbs
Weight - 3.25 lbs
Material - Carbon Fiber
Quick Release - Arca Type
Number of Leg Sections - 4
Leg Lock Type - Twist Lock
PRICE: $329.95
Initial Impressions
At a combined weight of 3.25 lbs. with both the video head and tripod, it’s hard not to like what this combination is offering. Weight is my single biggest issue with tripods, but just over 3 lbs. total is tough to beat and after seeing the stability, quality, and user friendliness of this tripod and video head, my mind has shifted from NOT wanting to bring a tripod, to trying to find a reason TO bring one.
Seeing the specs and features on paper is one thing, but seeing it in person is another. When the tripod arrived, I was immediately impressed with it. The build quality was top notch and it was still crazy light! Whatever magic they performed to create such a balanced product was totally worth it.
I also took notice of how slim the tripod with video head was. It’s long and narrow and fits in a side pocket really well. One of the things I don’t like about tripods is how bulky they are, but this unit is not that at all. It doesn’t get in the way and once its stowed in my pack, I don’t even notice it.
As for the video head, it’s pretty sweet for how small it is. If you know anything about video heads, you know they can be huge because they have these built in features that make it operate smoothly (adjustable tension). This video head doesn’t have those high end pro video quality features, but it’s pretty dang close for being so small. The panning and tilting is smooth as butter and it does the job just fine. I really don’t see the need for anything else when you’re in the field. It checks the boxes for video quite well
How I’m Using the Tripod
I’m using my Slik CF-634 and video head primarily for hunting. I’ve always wanted to get into glassing, but never loved hauling around a tripod. My first time out with it, I backpacked in a few miles for a bear hunt, set up on a glassing point and went to work. l loved it! I’d done this before with a different tripod and hated it, but for some reason this tripod was different. The platform was sturdy, easy to deploy, and it made looking for game a pleasure to do. I can see now why people choose to glass from a tripod versus just hand hold. You can concentrate a lot more on what you’re doing.
One time in the field is not enough. I decided over the course of the next few trips out I’d pack my tripod with me each time. I figured I’d really get to know if the thing was annoying or not, and if there was anytime I didn’t want to take it because it was too heavy or bulky, I’d know it wasn’t for me.
That never happened. I literally brought it with me whether I used it or not each time I went out. I brought it on a family hike and I brought it hunting a few more times. It was there if I needed it and not annoying if I didn’t.
This is huge. I now have a tripod I don’t mind carrying with me even if I’m not sure I’ll need it. If I do need it, I’ll have that edge and since I’m a backpacker at heart, it can come with me for 1 mile or 10.
What I Like
Overall Weight
I really like the overall weight of this tripod and video head combination. It’s rare that you can find a quality tripod that does what you want in this kind of weight range. I’ve looked…trust me. The weight of this combination makes it a no brainer for backpacking.
Shape
This tripod is slim and I love it. Most of the tripods I’ve dealt with in the past are big and bulky with things sticking out of them. The knobs get caught up and it’s annoying to pull in and out of a pack. This Slik tripod is not that at all. It’s long and slim and you adjust the video head to where it’s not sticking out.
The shape of this unit is no doubt a favorite feature of mine.
Quality
Right out of the box, the tripod screamed quality. The carbon fiber was quality, the adjustments were tight, and the whole thing as a unit was sturdy. In the field it was the same way. I never once got the notion of corners being cut or a lack of quality in any area. This kind of thing is huge to me. I want to feel like what I’m holding is built to last because if I’m going to bring it with me, I don’t want it to fail.
I don’t know how best to describe the feel of this tripod other than to say that it feels like it was made the right way.
Ease of Use
Another pain point for a lot of tripods I’ve played around with is how easy it is to use. I found this Slik tripod and video head to be pretty clean in how it operates and deploys. There was never a point when I found myself frustrated with a feature. That in itself tells me something about how easy it is to use.
What I Don’t Like
I wouldn’t be a proper review without mentioning something I’m not a fan of, right?
Adjusting the Leg Angle
I’m not sure this is specific to Slik tripods because it’s common on a lot of them and it’s always a slight frustration for me. I find that the function of adjusting the leg angle of isn’t always smooth. My hands always wish they could push a button, move the leg, and release the button, but instead you have to pull up a tab and lock it back in.
It’s not the end of the world, but it is something I’m not a huge fan of. But again, this is common among most tripods and it makes me wonder why that is. Why hasn’t the industry come up with a smoother way to deploy the legs to the correct angle?
Final Thoughts
I am shocked that I actually like a tripod now. Like really shocked. My attitude toward tripods and video heads has been pretty poor up until now and the fact that I now look for a reason to bring this tripod with me really says something about it.
Though I haven’t used it for years, I can tell you that it’s going to be a staple in my kit from here on out. Anytime I think I might need or want a tripod, I’m going to bring it and that is the difference-maker when it comes to gear. That’s how you know it’s good and that’s how you know it’s worth the money spent.
If you ever find yourself thinking twice about bringing something because of the weight or function, you know there’s a problem.
In this case, the Slik CF 634 with SVH-501 Video Head is an asset to me and I’m better for it.
-Emory, By Land
Product Links and Discount
Use the code ByLand15 during checkout (*Valid for NEW regular priced items)
https://slikusa.com/collections/new-products/products/pro-cf-634svh-kit-with-svh-501-video-head
